Raising The Art of Travel

For some gentlemen, travel is the ultimate refinement. Finding joy in life through discovering another country, a destination they’ve never set foot in, is pure discovery. What if this revelation could be an infinite journey by merging the hotel with the plane, boat, and train, all under the same banner? This is this Art of Travel we explore in this story.

As you may already know, the Canadian-based company Four Seasons has its private jets travelling the world, and in 2025, yachts will join the fleet. Ritz-Carlton, a Marriott brand, already has its small watercraft exploring the seas globally. ĀMAN also has its flagship private yacht, the Amandira, which invites exploration in the remote islands of Indonesia’s Flores Sea. Meanwhile, Aman at Sea—the company’s 50-suite luxury pavilion—will set sail across the world’s oceans in 2027. We cannot leave out the Orient-Express, an Accor brand, which will add hotels to their trains by the end of 2024, starting with Rome, and yachts in 2026. But the greatest example, and a historic one that truly creates a harmonious experience, is Belmond, purchased in 2019 by LVMH. The brand has recently brought the cohesion of their luxury trains to the sea-to-hotel transition, which seems to be an astonishing experience. We had our questions answered by Mr. Gary Franklin, Vice President of Trains and Cruises at Belmond.

I began by asking Mr. Franklin about the beginnings of the Belmond brand. What was the reason for expanding from hotels to include trains? He explained that Belmond was born with the acquisition of the Venetian landmark, Hotel Cipriani, back in 1976. The following year, the visionary founder of their company, the late James B. Sherwood, bought two sleeper carriages at an auction in Monaco with the ambition to revive the golden age of travel with the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express and transport guests to Hotel Cipriani in style. The legendary train launched in 1982 and has been an integral part of the brand ever since. This acquisition allowed Belmond to gain expertise, leading to further expansion of their train portfolio globally. “To date, we operate six trains—from the UK to Europe, Peru, and Southeast Asia—and lead the way in this growing market,” added the Belmond executive.

The Art of Travel : Move slower

Considering that 1976 is more than 45 years behind us, why is it still relevant to maintain this orientation of linking different modes of transportation to hotels? Mr. Franklin added, “Luxury is no longer only about purchasing tangible objects—it is about travelling more slowly, sustainably, and meaningfully, collecting cultural moments, and taking the time to declutter one’s mind and create new memories with family and loved ones. Our train experiences perfectly respond to this demand, with more and more discerning travellers falling in love with the rails again.”

Integrating the hotel experience into transportation can seem challenging, as hoteliers with these properties now need to manage tight schedules and moving facilities, which can encounter risks. How is the hotel experience translated onto the rails and boats, I asked? “Our trains and boats offer the same five-star experience that guests can find at our hotels and safaris: excellent but never impersonal service, sophisticated cuisine (Editor’s Note: which in some cases can be with Plaza Athénée’s renowned chef Jean Imbert) rooted in the destination and championing local produce, and experiences that allow our guests to discover hidden gems and meet local ambassadors and knowledgeable guides who will give them access to special locations, often not open to the general public,” added the Belmond representative.

Why still pursue this direction of the art of travel, I questioned? “The trains have always been an integral part of the Belmond brand and still play a key role in our development strategy. Today more than ever, discerning travellers are looking for slow-paced experiences and unhurried holidays whose sole purpose is rest and relaxation. Focusing on our train products is key from a brand perspective, but it is also a commercial decision, answering a resounding call from what global luxury consumers are seeking and how they are choosing to spend,” added the VP of Trains and Cruises at Belmond.

The added value of a seamless transition

You might think it can be complicated to switch from the train to the hotel to the boat to create this art of travel, as you would in a regular destination. I truthfully asked what the added value of having a means of transport linked to the hotel was. Mr. Franklin responded, “Having an unparalleled portfolio of luxury trains and intimate boats is what makes Belmond unique in the luxury hospitality sector. While travelling on our trains and boats is an experience and not just a way to get from A to B, owning such special hotels in beautiful destinations allows us to be creative with the journeys that we offer. For instance, this year we have created a three-night summer sojourn including an overnight journey on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express from Paris to Portofino, followed by a weekend at Splendido, A Belmond Hotel—the jewel in the crown of the Italian Riviera. The experience also features a gala dinner by the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express’s chef Jean Imbert and access to ‘cinema in Piazzetta,’ an open-air movie screening in Portofino’s iconic square,” added the hotelier executive.

You might see yourself already there, like me, don’t you? But how do these voyages either complement each other or stand out from others, you may ask? The Belmond veteran added that travelling on a Belmond train is a unique experience that takes passengers back to a bygone era. “We offer journeys to a wide range of destinations, meaning that our guests can experience a multitude of landscapes—from the lush palm plantations of Malaysia to the Andes, from the European plains to the Scottish lochs—before continuing their journey once they arrive at their destination of choice,” concluded Mr. Franklin.

To me, it is the ultimate refinement in terms of art of travel. Not having to think, having fun, discovering new countries. You might also be interested in reading about the Veuve Clicquot Solaire Journeys, an exclusive experience in three phases with Belmond.

Article originally published in Gentologie magazine Issue 13 and offered free of charge.

Couver Photo : Matt Hind for Belmond